Oilfield rods and tubulars having thermoplastic polyurethane wear bands

Abstract

Upset oilfield tubing or upset pump rods are protected from abrasive wear by non-metallic circumferential wear bands formed around and bonded to the upset portions of the tubing or rods and/or at selected locations along non-upset portions of the tubing or rods between the upset ends, such as by means of injection molding. The wear bands may be formed from a material comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane. The thermoplastic polyurethane may be a polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane or a polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane. The wear bands may incorporate stainless steel mesh or glass fibers or other reinforcing materials embedded in the thermoplastic polyurethane material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A joint of metal tubing or solid metal rod having one or more circumferential wear bands formed around and bonded to the joint of metal tubing or solid metal rod at one or more selected locations along the length thereof, wherein the one or more wear bands comprise a thermoplastic polyurethane material. 
     
     
         2 . The joint of metal tubing or solid metal rod as in  claim 1  wherein the joint of metal tubing or solid metal rod has upset ends. 
     
     
         3 . The joint of metal tubing or solid metal rod as in  claim 2  wherein at least one of the one or more circumferential wear bands is formed around and bonded to one of the upset ends of the joint of metal tubing or solid metal rod. 
     
     
         4 . The joint of metal tubing or solid metal rod as in  claim 1  wherein a reinforcing material is embedded in the one or more circumferential wear bands. 
     
     
         5 . The joint of metal tubing or solid metal rod as in  claim 4  wherein the reinforcing material comprises a stainless steel mesh. 
     
     
         6 . The joint of metal tubing or solid metal rod as in  claim 4  wherein the reinforcing material comprises glass fibers. 
     
     
         7 . The joint of metal tubing or solid metal rod as in  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane is a polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane. 
     
     
         8 . The joint of metal tubing or solid metal rod as in  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane is a polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane. 
     
     
         9 . The joint of metal tubing or solid metal rod as in  claim 1  wherein the one or more circumferential wear bands are formed around the joint of metal tubing or solid metal rod by means of injection molding.